PINE RIDGE, S.D. (AP) – Crews on the Pine Ridge Reservation are battling a human-caused wildfire about 6 miles north of Pine Ridge.
The Wilson Road Fire had burned about 200 acres as of mid-morning, when it was listed as 35% contained with 10 structures protected and another 5 threatened.
The fire began last evening in steep timbered terrain and had little growth overnight, then became active this morning with high winds leading to torching and running.
Incident commander Marjoe Janis says 73 personnel from the BIA and Oglala Sioux Tribe Emergency Management were battling the fire with mutual aid units from the Rosebud Agency, Martin Volunteer, and Rushville Volunteer Fire Departments.
Janis says the terrain is making access difficult, so crews are using indirect attack and helicopters as they conduct burn outs to contain the fire and utilize direct attack depending on the weather.